At last! Menifee-area community will finally have clean water

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Construction crews prepare to install Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District's new water pipeline that will replace the emergency pipeline along Bundy Canyon Road that had been serving a rustic Wildomar neighborhood that had been left without potable water because of well failures. in Wildomar Wednesday, Mar. 8, 2017.

Construction crews drill to install Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District's new water pipeline that will replace the emergency pipeline along Bundy Canyon Road that had been serving a rustic Wildomar neighborhood that had been left without potable water because of well failures. in Wildomar Wednesday, Mar. 8, 2017.

Motorists driving a stretch of Bundy Canyon Road at Wildomar’s border with Menifee will have to endure construction delays for a few more weeks.

They can take solace, however, in the fact that the work requiring partial road closures on weekdays is for the greater good of a community that went without clean water for years.

The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District is installing a nearly mile-long water pipeline underground along the north side of the road, a heavily traveled connection between Interstate 15 in Wildomar and Interstate 215 in Menifee.

The installation is the district’s share of a joint project with the Eastern Municipal Water District to hook up about 140 households to the permanent potable water system serving the region.

Eastern completed its contribution to the $6 million project last year, and Elsinore Valley should wrap up its portion by mid-April, assuming the weather cooperates, Project Manager Amy Czajkowski said.

“I think it’s gone very smoothly from the construction standpoint,” she said while observing crews digging a path for the pipeline Wednesday. “Coordination has been a challenge, but not as difficult as I thought in the beginning.”

From the start, extending modern water infrastructure to the rural enclave straddling the two cities’ border on the north side of Bundy Canyon has been convoluted.

For years, the community coped with poor well water and erratic service provided by a small private firm. County health officials warned residents long ago not to drink the water because of a dangerously high level of nitrates.

As the system deteriorated, the owners abandoned their wells and agreed to relinquish control to Riverside County in a receivership, as Elsinore Valley and Eastern prepared to take over water delivery.

The process, however, encountered bureaucratic obstacles. Though the state agreed to fund the project with a grant, both districts agreed they could not proceed without guarantees that they could not be sued for the problems caused by the prior owners.

Ultimately, the state Legislature passed a bill providing that legal protection.

The first phase of the project ensued with the placement of a temporary emergency line extending from Elsinore Valley’s reservoir west of Raciti Road eastward to the neighborhood.

Called the “high line” because it is above ground, that segment was completed in November 2014, to the delight of residents.

“It’s a marvelous, wonderful day,” said resident Luisa Castillo on the day that clean drinking water began flowing into her home’s faucets. “I could jump for happiness.”

A major side benefit of the emergency line is that the system now had adequate pressure to propel water through fire hydrants.

“There was no capability for fire service at all,” Czajkowski said of the situation before the emergency connection.

She said she was not aware of any problems with the emergency system.

“Ever since the high line was set up, I’ve heard nothing but good things,” she said. “It’s been consistent and a good source of drinking water.”

Laying the groundwork for the permanent line resulted in residents being further inconvenienced with temporary shutoffs, but there was no resistance, Elsinore Valley spokeswoman Bonnie Woodrome said.

“The residents were so patient and understanding that the water would be shut down temporarily,” she said. “I think now they’re noticing a difference and this is just making our final connection.”

Resident Lyndsey Amagrande said in an email that she is looking forward to the pipeline’s completion.

“I think the permanent water pipe is more relieving than exciting,” she said. “Last summer, … our water was hot because of the black temporary pipeline on top of the ground. This summer, we won’t have to deal with that. It will be good to know this whole water issue is behind us.”

The last chore in the project will be Elsinore Valley’s construction of a nearby pump station, but the road obstructions necessitated by the pipeline work will end with its completion next month.

“The city of Wildomar has been very helpful with traffic control because this is a very busy road,” Czajkowski said. “I think (the residents) all know this is a temporary situation.”

WATER PIPE WORK

What: Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District is installing a permanent water pipeline to serve a neighborhood straddling the border of Wildomar and Menifee

When: Now through mid-April

Where: Between the district’s reservoir near Chico Hills Road to the west and Palm Avenue near Wildomar’s eastern border